The Ark to receive $10K grant to support Ann Arbor Folk Festival
Birds of Chicago perform at U-M's Hill Auditorium at the 41st Ann Arbor Folk Festival on Jan. 27, 2018. (Credit: Andrew Rogers)ANN ARBOR โ The National Endowment for the Arts has approved a $10,000 Grants for Arts Projects award for The Ark to support the Ann Arbor Folk Festival. The Ark, an intimate folk music venue in downtown Ann Arbor, has been presenting, preserving and encouraging folk, ethnic and roots music for 55 years. Each year, The Ark presents the Ann Arbor Folk Festival at the end of January in the University of Michiganโs historic Hill Auditorium. โThe National Endowment for the Arts is proud to support this project from The Ark,โ Arts Endowment Acting Chairman Ann Eilers said in a statement.
4 ways to celebrate Valentineโs Day in Ann Arbor
ANN ARBOR, Mich. โ Like many holidays in 2020, Valentineโs Day in 2021 is going to feel different. Listen to nationally-recognized storytellers Lyn Ford, Chetter Galloway, Antonio Rocha and emcee Steve Daut, president of the Ann Arbor Storytellers Guild. Work together to draw a design on a ceramic lidded container in one of Gutman Galleryโs Take & Make: Valentineโs Day Art Box. The Ann Arbor Art Center is offering special Valentineโs Day Art Boxes. AdRead: Melon, bonfires, mass weddings: How Valentineโs Day has been celebrated around the worldGalentineโs DaySwap out Valentines for Galentines.
44th Ann Arbor Folk Festival to run extra night in tribute to John Prine
ANN ARBOR โ The Ark announced Monday that its 44th Ann Arbor Folk Festival will be extended by one day for a special tribute to John Prine by various Michigan artists. On Sunday, Jan. 31 at 7 p.m., tune in to the virtual John Prine tribute show, which will feature covers of his classic songs performed by artists with Michigan roots. Read: Jeff Daniels will host this yearโs Ann Arbor Folk FestivalStreaming passes ($10) are now on sale for the show, which will be available for unlimited viewing through Feb. 7. John Prine (Credit: Andrew Rogers)โWhen we say The Ark wouldnโt be what it is today without John Prine, thatโs not just a figure of speech,โ read a news release by The Ark. โJohn Prine was the headliner for the very first Ann Arbor Folk Festival in 1976, at a time when the club was deep in debt, and closing the doors was a distinct possibility.
Todd Snider to perform at 44th Ann Arbor Folk Festival
Todd Snider will perform at the virtual Ann Arbor Folk Festival on Saturday, Jan. 30. ANN ARBOR โ The Ark announced on Monday a change to the 44th Ann Arbor Folk Festivalโs Saturday night lineup. Read: Jeff Daniels will host this yearโs Ann Arbor Folk FestivalTicketsMember pricingSingle night passes: $20 livestream only; Silver Bundle $60 livestream + exclusive #arkfamily festival shirt; Gold Bundle $110 all benefits of Silver + festival branded mask; Platinum Bundle $225 all benefits of Gold + festival mug and poster; Benefactor Bundle $450 all benefits of Platinum + snack basket. Public saleSingle night passes: $25 livestream only; Silver Bundle $75 livestream + exclusive #arkfamily festival shirt; Gold Bundle $125 all benefits of Silver + festival branded mask; Platinum Bundle $250 all benefits of Gold + festival mug and poster; Benefactor Bundle $500 all benefits of Platinum + snack basket. There are great ticket bundles that include exclusive Folk Fest merchandise (not available for separate purchase), as well as a livestream only ticket starting at $25.
Jeff Daniels will host this yearโs Ann Arbor Folk Festival
Jeff Daniels will emcee the Ann Arbor Folk Festival for the second time. ANN ARBOR โ Actor and musician Jeff Daniels will emcee the 44th Ann Arbor Folk Festival, The Ark announced on Wednesday. Lineup for the 44th Ann Arbor Folk Festival. TicketsMember pricingSingle night passes: $20 livestream only; Silver Bundle $60 livestream + exclusive #arkfamily festival shirt; Gold Bundle $110 all benefits of Silver + festival branded mask; Platinum Bundle $225 all benefits of Gold + festival mug and poster; Benefactor Bundle $450 all benefits of Platinum + snack basket. Public saleSingle night passes: $25 livestream only; Silver Bundle $75 livestream + exclusive #arkfamily festival shirt; Gold Bundle $125 all benefits of Silver + festival branded mask; Platinum Bundle $250 all benefits of Gold + festival mug and poster; Benefactor Bundle $500 all benefits of Platinum + snack basket.
Here are 7 artists just added to Ann Arbor Folk Festivalโs lineup
ANN ARBOR โ The Ark announced on Tuesday that it has added seven additional artists to its two-night Ann Arbor Folk Festival lineup. The 44th annual festival is going virtual this year due to the pandemic and will take place Jan. 29 and 30. The artists added include Kiefer Sutherland, Gina Chavez, Willie Watson and Ron Pope on Friday nightโs bill and Crys Matthews, Andrea von Kampen and David Bromberg on Saturday nightโs bill. TicketsMember pricingSingle night passes: $20 livestream only; Silver Bundle $60 livestream + exclusive #arkfamily festival shirt; Gold Bundle $110 all benefits of Silver + festival branded mask; Platinum Bundle $225 all benefits of Gold + festival mug and poster; Benefactor Bundle $450 all benefits of Platinum + snack basket. Public saleSingle night passes: $25 livestream only; Silver Bundle $75 livestream + exclusive #arkfamily festival shirt; Gold Bundle $125 all benefits of Silver + festival branded mask; Platinum Bundle $250 all benefits of Gold + festival mug and poster; Benefactor Bundle $500 all benefits of Platinum + snack basket.
Hereโs the lineup for Januaryโs virtual Ann Arbor Folk Festival
ANN ARBOR โ The Ark has announced the lineup for the 44th Ann Arbor Folk Festival - At Home to be held on Jan. 29 and 30. Member pricing includes:Single night passes: $20 livestream only; Silver Bundle $60 livestream + exclusive #arkfamily festival shirt; Gold Bundle $110 all benefits of Silver + festival branded mask; Platinum Bundle $225 all benefits of Gold + festival mug and poster; Benefactor Bundle $450 all benefits of Platinum + snack basket. 2-night Series passes: $37.50 livestream only; Silver Series Bundle $115 livestream + 2 exclusive #arkfamily festival shirts; Gold Series Bundle $200 all benefits of Silver Series + 2 festival branded masks; Platinum Series Bundle $400 all benefits of Gold Series + 2 festival mugs and one poster; Benefactor Series Bundle $800 all benefits of Platinum + 2 snack baskets. Public pricing includes:Single night passes: $25 livestream only; Silver Bundle $75 livestream + exclusive #arkfamily festival shirt; Gold Bundle $125 all benefits of Silver + festival branded mask; Platinum Bundle $250 all benefits of Gold + festival mug and poster; Benefactor Bundle $500 all benefits of Platinum + snack basket. 2-night Series passes: $45 livestream only; Silver Series Bundle $135 livestream + 2 exclusive #arkfamily festival shirts; Gold Series Bundle $225 all benefits of Silver Series + 2 festival branded masks; Platinum Series Bundle $450 all benefits of Gold Series + 2 festival mugs and one poster; Benefactor Series Bundle $900 all benefits of Platinum + 2 snack baskets.
Ann Arborโs Laith Al-Saadi to play virtual concert with The Ark
ANN ARBOR, Mich. โ Musician Laith Al-Saadi will have a free concert on Saturday, Nov. 14, thanks to Ann Arborโs The Ark and Michigan Theater. As part of the Ark Family Room Series, the 8 p.m. concert can be watched through Facebook Live. Al-Saadi gained national fame when he brought his unique blend of blues and rock to season 10 of NBCโs โThe Voiceโ in 2016. The Nov. 14 concert is free but donations made through a virtual tip jar will support Al-Saadi, the Michigan Theater and The Ark. Over the course of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, The Ark has offered free and paid virtual events to keep music alive, support musical artists and to help audiences connect with their favorite musicians.
Local watch party to stream The Verve Pipe presented by The Ark on Saturday
ANN ARBOR โ As the coronavirus pandemic stretches toward the end of the year, live music feels like a thing of the past. Stony Lake Brewing in Saline and Acoustic Routes will be hosting a big screen watch party for The Arkโs live stream of multi-platinum group The Verve Pipe on Saturday at 8 p.m. The Ark is presenting the special live stream along with The Listening Room in Grand Rapids. According to a press release, the watch party is โdesigned around Michiganโs public health directives" and aims to support performance venues and Michigan artists during the pandemic. To watch the show from home, you can purchase a $20 live stream access here.
Ann Arborโs folk venue The Ark to host annual fall fundraiser virtually on Sunday
After the Ann Arbor Folk Festival, the Fall Fundraiser is The Arkโs second largest fundraiser each year. Tickets $35 and up include a limited edition T-shirt from the event. Silver - $100Includes one livestream pass (only one pass necessary per household), exclusive, limited edition WB3/Ark #ArkFamily T-shirt. Bronze - $35Includes one livestream pass (only one pass necessary per household), limited edition WB3/Ark #ArkFamily T-shirt. Livestream-only pass - $10Includes one livestream pass (only one pass necessary per household).
Ann Arbors The Ark launches fundraiser to make sure music lives on
It launched the free Ark Family Room Series in April and offers between 15 to 20 virtual programs a month. It wants to raise $25,000 to keep funding programs, like its Ark Family Room Series, that go beyond Ann Arbor. Some supporters are local and loyal fans of the music venue, but others are in Australia, Ireland and the state of Washington. Currently, it is working to develop ticketed events and is exploring ways to make virtual programs more enriching and engaging for patrons. RelatedJeff Daniels to perform at The Ark in Ann ArborAnn Arbor music hub hosts award-winning lineup during the Ark Family Room July concerts
Jeff Daniels to perform at The Ark in Ann Arbor
ANN ARBOR, Mich. Jeff Daniels will perform a virtual concert at The Ark in Ann Arbor on July 27. The 8 p.m. concert will include original songs and personal stories from the actor, director and singer-songwriters stage and movie career. After the concert, there will be a 15 to 30 minute Q&A session where Daniels will answer audience questions. In 2019, Daniels visited Ann Arbor for the showing of his film Guest Artist, which was filmed in his hometown of Chelsea, Michigan. Related: Ann Arbor music hub hosts award-winning lineup during the Ark Family Room July concerts
Ann Arbor music hub hosts award-winning lineup during the Ark Family Room July concerts
ANN ARBOR, Mich. Doors to its downtown Ann Arbor venue may be temporarily closed due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) but The Ark is still offering a lineup of concerts online. The free concert series is called the Ark Family Room Series and features performances from a variety of artists. See the July lineup below:Dick SiegelThursday, July 2 at 8 p.m.A versatile composer, Siegel is known for his wide range of songs ranging from jump blues, Buddy Hollystyle pop, folk balladry and new folk lyricism. For more information, visit the events page. Joe JencksFriday, July 24 at 8 p.m.Based in Chicago, Jencks weaves his activism, musical skill, lyrical storytelling and folk music.
Ann Arbor nonprofits receive COVID-19 relief grants from Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan
ANN ARBOR, Mich. The Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan has given Relief and Resiliency grants to five Ann Arbor arts and culture nonprofit organizations. The Ark, Neutral Zone, Youth Arts Alliance, Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum and 826michigan have each received a $10,000 grant from the COVID-19 Arts and Creative Community Assistance Fund. In partnership with CultureSource, the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan awarded the grants to help organizations with financial pressures resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Funding was supported by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, DeRoy Testamentary Foundation, Ford Foundation, Kresge Foundation, Leinweber Foundation, Max M. and Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation, Peck Foundation and William Davidson Foundation. Find a list of all of the organizations awarded grants here.
U-M, Ann Arbor businesses, organizations observe Blackout Tuesday
Individuals and businesses alike are taking to social media posting blackout images, some plain and some with text, as a show of unity with the black community. Several local organizations, businesses and departments at the University of Michigan have posted online in solidarity with Blackout Tuesday. #BlackOutTuesday pic.twitter.com/qOkBpuWO3e Michigan Athletics (@UMichAthletics) June 2, 2020The Ann Arbor Film Festival stands in solidarity with our filmmakers, artists, audience members, and everyone protesting against police brutality and the injustices against the Black community. pic.twitter.com/ZnpXJSN3cT Ann Arbor Film Festival (@AAFilmFest) June 2, 2020Destination Ann Arbor stands in solidarity against discrimination, racism, and violence. #blackouttuesday pic.twitter.com/hebJrSPRPl Destination Ann Arbor (@AnnArbor) June 2, 2020Related reading:
The Second City comedy troupe to perform in downtown Ann Arbor at The Ark
The Second City will perform at The Ark on Sept. 6 and 7. Photo | Tim SchmidtANN ARBOR, Mich. - At 8 p.m. on Sept. 6 and 7, laugh until you cry with Chicago-based comedy group The Second City at The Ark in downtown Ann Arbor. Known for cultivating the careers of numerous popular comedians and funny people such as Chris Farley and Tina Fey, The Second City comedy troupe has a reputation for side-splitting comedy and sassy sketch comedy. Celebrating 59 years of comedy, the group brings its particular brand of funny to various locations while on tour, exposing audiences to the next generation of The Second City comedians. Adding their own personality to The Second City greatest hits, this troupe of comedians will reinvigorate and update classic skits, original songs and punchy improv.